Corsair HX1000i Shift Crystal PSU Review
Conclusion
I expected a see-through HX1000i Shift – Corsair delivered much more than that
When I first saw this PSU, I expected late-90s, early-2000s nostalgia. Corsair has delivered more than that here. The Corsair HX1000i Shift Crystal isn’t just a transparent HX1000i Shift; it’s a lot more than that. It’s a better product, and no, transparent does not mean better. There are some proper upgrades here!
The first, and most important upgrade is support for Corsair’s new PinProtect+ 12V-2×6 per-pin overcurrent protection technology. This is a more feature-rich version of the PinProtect technology Corsair debuted with its new RM1200e last month (see our RX1200e review here). This model integrates PinProtect with Corsair iCUE, adding customisation options and enhanced monitoring. If PinProtect activates, this PSU’s fan also turns red. That’s a nice touch. Given how expensive GPUs are now, Corsair PinProtect, PinProtect+ and similar 12V-2×6 protection features are a great add-on for new PSUs. After all, nobody wants their 12V-2×6 connector to melt…
Beyond this PSU’s transparency and PinProtect+ support, it comes with upgrade cables (individually sleeved), Corsair’s new higher-airflow grille pattern, and a customisable RGB fan. That said, the main draw of this PSU is its transparent sides, which give users a glimpse of its innards. With its white PCB and custom Corsair capacitors, this PSU looks great. That said, part of me wishes the PSU’s metal sides were white.
Corsair went extra with this PSU
If I am honest, I love how over-the-top this PSU is. Usually, a power supply quietly sits in the background. If you don’t have to think about it, that usually means that your PSU is doing a good job. The Corsair HX1000i Shift Crystal demands attention, and its little flourishes make it feel special. Did the PSU fan need to go red when PinProtect+ activates? Did the PSU’s regulatory specifications sticker need to be hidden like that? Does this PSU need to be an iCUE LINK hub?
With Corsair’s iCUE LINK software, users of this PSU have a lot of options. They can toggle PinProtect+, Zero RPM fan mode, enable lighting effects, and toggle between this PSU’s single-rail OCP or multi-rail OCP modes. This is a feature-rich PSU, and it’s also a great-looking PSU. If you want a simple “set it and forget it” PSU, this isn’t it. The Corsair HX1000i Shift Crystal is a PSU for PC builders who want more from their PSUs.
It is rare to see something different within the PSU space. It’s even rarer for users to see inside their own power supplies. For its rich feature set, unique aesthetic, and clever hiding of regulatory details, this PSU deserves OC3D’s Innovation Award.
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